Systems and methods for variable injection flow

• US 9,320,871 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2012
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Groves, Regina E., Lalonde, Jean-Pierre, Laske, Timothy G., Lueckge, Claudia, Sabbaghe-Kermani, Ramin, Wittenberger, Dan, Kabir-Seraj, Mahmoud
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Carey, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/409,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20130104993A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 606/20, 606/21, 606/22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/0218 with open-end cryogenic probe, e.g. for spraying fluid directly on tissue or via a tissue-contacting porous tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00202 rotating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0268 with restriction of flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0025 having a collapsible lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0079 Separate user-activated means, e.g. guidewires, guide tubes, balloon catheters or sheaths, for sealing off an orifice, e.g. a lumen or side holes, of a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0175 having telescopic features, interengaging nestable members movable in relations to one another
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0029 characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/22 Valves or arrangement of valves A61M39/02, A61M39/0247, A61M39/16 take precedence; regulating valves in infusion systems A61M5/16881; in devices worn by the patient for the reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge, or in colostomy devices A61F5/4405
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/28 Clamping means for squeezing flexible tubes, e.g. roller clamps tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

Systems and methods for controllably variable fluid flow are disclosed that provide the ability to modify the effective cross-sectional area of the fluid delivery conduit available for fluid flow. Accordingly, selective control of these configurations allows fluid flow to be regulated as desired while the fluid delivery pressure remains the same. Additional configurations provided herein allow for the selective manipulation of a footprint or therapeutic pattern achievable with the medical device during a single procedure, negating the need for the removal and insertion of multiple devices to achieve the same variations in treatment geometry or characteristics.

Claims

1. A method of controlling fluid delivery in a medical device, comprising:

movably positioning a fluid delivery conduit within a delivery manifold in the medical device, the fluid delivery conduit defining a first plurality of openings and the delivery manifold defining a second plurality of openings, the medical device defining a distal tip and including a first thermally transmissive region proximate the delivery manifold and a second thermally transmissive region at the distal tip;

introducing a fluid into the fluid delivery conduit;

moving the fluid delivery conduit to a first position where the first plurality of openings is substantially aligned with the second plurality of openings to direct fluid through the first and second plurality of openings and toward the first thermally transmissive region to create an elongated treatment pattern; and

moving the fluid delivery conduit to a second position where the second plurality of openings are substantially obstructed by the fluid delivery conduit, and at least one of the plurality of first openings is positioned outside the manifold such that fluid is directed through the at least one of the plurality of first openings and toward the second thermally transmissive region to create a focal treatment pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of openings is asymmetrically disposed about a longitudinal axis of the manifold.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a cryogenic fluid.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermally-transmissive region includes a balloon.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermally-transmissive region includes an electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising cryogenically treating a tissue region with the thermally-transmissive region when the fluid delivery conduit is in the first position.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein cryogenically treating the tissue region includes creating an elongated thermal treatment pattern in the tissue region.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising cryogenically treating a tissue region with the thermally-transmissive region when the fluid delivery conduit is in the second position.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein cryogenically treating the tissue region includes creating a focal thermal treatment pattern in the tissue region.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the fluid delivery conduit to a first position includes moving the conduit along a longitudinal axis of the manifold.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the fluid delivery conduit to a first position includes rotating the conduit about a longitudinal axis of the manifold.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the fluid delivery conduit to a second position includes moving the conduit along a longitudinal axis of the manifold.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the fluid delivery conduit to a second position includes rotating the conduit about a longitudinal axis of the manifold.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid delivery conduit includes a radiopaque marker, the method further comprising verifying a position of the radiopaque marker.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the fluid delivery conduit is achieved at least in part by manipulation of an actuator at a proximal portion of the medical device.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring at least one of a flow rate or pressure of the fluid in the fluid delivery conduit.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising modifying a position of the fluid delivery conduit in response to the monitored flow rate or pressure.